News

Jammu & Kashmir Hits Record Tourism Heights as Millions Head to the Valley and Vaishno Devi

Jammu and Kashmir recorded more than 7.85 crore tourist visits between 2023 and 2025, significantly higher than the 4.76 crore visitors recorded during 2016–18, with growth driven by Kashmir tourism recovery, pilgrimage travel and rising domestic demand. Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a remarkable transformation in its tourism sector, recording a substantial rise in visitor arrivals between 2023 and 2025 compared with the period before 2019. The Union Territory welcomed more than 7.85 crore tourists during 2023–25, marking a significant increase from the 4.76 crore visitors recorded between 2016 and 2018. The latest tourism figures highlight the growing popularity of Jammu and Kashmir among domestic and religious travellers, with both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region contributing to the overall growth. While the Kashmir division witnessed a major revival after 2019, the Jammu region continued to benefit from strong pilgrimage tourism, particularly around the famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.

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Singapore Tourism Board Partners With TransNusa to Expand Indonesia's Regional Flight Access

Singapore is strengthening Southeast Asia’s tourism connectivity as the Singapore Tourism Board partners with TransNusa to expand regional flight access, improve links between Indonesia and Singapore, and unlock new travel opportunities across emerging markets. The collaboration is designed to support tourism growth by making cross-border journeys more accessible, encouraging greater visitor movement, and creating stronger connections between key destinations in the region. Through enhanced air connectivity and expanded travel options, the partnership aims to accelerate Southeast Asia’s tourism recovery, diversify visitor flows, and open a new era of regional travel experiences. Singapore Tourism Board has partnered with Indonesian airline TransNusa to strengthen Indonesia travel connectivity, expand access from emerging markets and create new tourism opportunities across Southeast Asia. The strategic collaboration will use TransNusa’s growing domestic network and operational hubs in Jakarta, Bali and Manado to bring more Indonesian travellers closer to Singapore through improved flight connections, promotional travel offers and innovative holiday experiences.

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Vietnam's 2045 Tourism Vision Targets Global Dominance Through Sustainability and Cultural Excellence

Vietnam is accelerating its journey towards becoming a global tourism powerhouse by 2045 through a bold vision built on sustainable growth, smart innovation, maritime tourism development, stronger connectivity and high-value travel experiences. In 2026, the country is boosting tourism with ambitious visitor targets, easier visa access, expanded international promotion, digital transformation and a renewed focus on green destinations, positioning itself as one of Asia’s most promising travel destinations. As Vietnam moves from attracting more visitors to creating deeper, longer and more valuable travel experiences, its coastline, cultural heritage, natural landscapes and advanced tourism strategy are becoming powerful engines for future growth. Vietnam is entering a defining period of tourism transformation in 2026 as the country accelerates its ambitious journey to become a globally competitive tourism powerhouse by 2045. Driven by a long-term vision of sustainable growth, digital innovation, stronger connectivity and high-value travel experiences, Vietnam is moving beyond traditional tourism expansion and building a modern destination ecosystem designed for future generations.

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Saudi Arabia Becomes the World's Fastest-Growing Tourism Destination With a 67% Post-Pandemic Surge

Saudi Arabia has become the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination after recording a Sixty-Seven Percent surge in international visitor arrivals compared with pre-pandemic levels, with nearly thirty million international travellers welcomed in 2025. The historic growth has been driven by the Kingdom’s rapid tourism transformation, expanding global connectivity, major destination developments, and efforts to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading international travel hub. Saudi Arabia has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination after international visitor arrivals recorded a Sixty-Seven Percent increase compared with pre-pandemic levels, with nearly thirty million international travellers visiting the Kingdom in 2025. The remarkable growth has positioned Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the global tourism recovery, reflecting the country’s rapid transformation into a major international travel market.

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Thailand Restores Visa-Free Access for India but Industry Warns of Lost Travel Demand

Thailand has restored visa-free access for Indian travellers as part of a major tourism recovery strategy designed to rebuild arrivals from one of its most important source markets after demand weakened following earlier policy changes. The move is expected to improve travel convenience, encourage holiday bookings and strengthen Thailand’s position among Indian tourists seeking affordable international escapes. However, tourism industry leaders have warned that the delayed policy reversal may have already resulted in significant demand losses, as many travellers shifted their plans towards alternative destinations offering easier entry conditions, leaving Thailand with the challenge of regaining market confidence and restoring its previous growth momentum. Thailand has restored visa-free access for Indian travellers in a major move to revive tourism demand, but the industry warns that months of uncertainty have already affected one of its most important international markets. The return of the 30-day visa exemption is expected to rebuild confidence among Indian tourists, yet travel operators say delayed decisions, rising costs and disrupted planning have already caused lost opportunities during a crucial travel period.

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Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City Hits 38 Million Visitors, Entering a New Era of Global Tourism Growth

Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City has achieved a major tourism breakthrough after welcoming thirty-eight million visitors in the first seven months of 2026, driven by a powerful surge in international arrivals, rising domestic travel demand and expanding tourism experiences that are strengthening the city’s position as one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations. The city recorded strong economic gains from tourism as millions of travellers explored its attractions, culture, hospitality and business opportunities. With international visitor numbers increasing sharply and new tourism products being developed, Ho Chi Minh City is entering a new phase of growth focused on longer visitor stays, higher spending and greater global recognition. Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City has entered a new phase of tourism growth after welcoming thirty-eight million visitors during the first seven months of 2026, driven by a sharp rise in international arrivals, strong domestic travel demand and expanding tourism activities. The city’s tourism sector generated significant economic value during this period as visitor numbers continued to rise and global travellers showed increasing interest in experiencing Vietnam’s largest urban destination. The strong performance highlights Ho Chi Minh City’s growing importance as a major travel hub in Southeast Asia, supported by improved tourism products, large-scale events and stronger international promotion campaigns.

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